A call to order, in and out of the digital sphere

By Fr Stephan Alexander

General Manager, CCSJ and AMMR

“Let’s be clear that nothing will change for the better, or peacefully, in Trinidad and Tobago if we do not take hatred of opponents out of our politics”

These words, written by Martin Daly SC in his column ‘Dear Kamla, 2025’ (Trinidad Express, May 10, 2025), are equally advice to the Prime Minister and a clarion call to our nation.

They come at a moment of profound unease, when the digital aftermath of April’s general election has left many citizens reeling from the toxicity of online interactions.

For too long our national discourse, especially on social media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, has tolerated—and at times encouraged—a corrosive rhetoric that dehumanises political opponents and reduces complex issues to racial stereotypes and inflammatory soundbites.

As Catholics, and as citizens concerned with the common good, we must confront this reality with courage and clarity. The unchecked racial vitriol that has permeated our social media landscape is not merely distasteful. It is dangerous. It undermines national unity, alienates our youth from political engagement, and distorts the very meaning of democracy.

In his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, Pope Francis warns us of the proliferation of “destructive forms of fanaticism”, “closedmindedness and social and cultural fragmentation in present-day society” that often thrive in spaces where dialogue is replaced with contempt.

While social media can be a force for connection, evangelisation, and education, it has increasingly become a battlefield in Trinidad and Tobago’s political life—one where empathy is in short supply and the dignity of people is easily sacrificed for partisan gain.

To stand up against this vitriol is not to be politically neutral. It is to be morally resolute. Catholic Social Teaching calls us to uphold the dignity of every human person, to promote the common good, and to participate actively and conscientiously in public life.

This includes holding our political leaders accountable, yes, but it also means refusing to amplify narratives that deepen racial divisions or demonise entire communities.

In this regard, both the Government and the Opposition have a moral and civic responsibility to call their members and supporters to order. Political leadership must extend beyond electoral campaigns to the daily conduct of public discourse. Leaders from all parties must condemn racism, incitement, and inflammatory rhetoric wherever it arises—including within their own ranks.

Failure to do so not only compromises their credibility but tacitly permits the erosion of democratic values. We must recognise and exercise our rights to challenge and hold politicians accountable when they fail to address such egregious conduct.

We must speak out

We must also ask: what are we modelling for the next generation? When children and youth witness their elders weaponising ethnicity or faith for political ends, what future can we expect for our democracy?

The digital sphere is not separate from the moral order; it is part of the real world and subject to the same call to justice, truth, and love. Therefore, our response must be both spiritual and practical.

Firstly, we must cultivate a spirituality of encounter. The Gospel invites us to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt 5:44). This command is not a call to passivity but a revolutionary summons to resist hatred with active love. Listening to those with whom we disagree, seeking to understand their fears and hopes, is not weakness—it is Christian maturity.

Secondly, we must encourage our parishes and Catholic institutions to engage in civic education. Many of our faithful may not understand how social media algorithms promote outrage or how misinformation spreads. Equipping believers with tools for critical engagement online should now be part of the Church’s mission to form consciences.

Thirdly, we must speak out. Bishops, clergy, lay leaders, and Catholic commentators must not remain silent in the face of public racism and hatred. Silence is often interpreted as consent.

We must challenge the tribalism that masquerades as patriotism and remind all citizens that true love of country includes love for every citizen, regardless of political stripe.

Democracy is not just about elections. It is about how we treat one another every day. It is about cultivating a culture of dialogue, empathy, and justice. As we look forward, let us recommit ourselves to building a Trinidad and Tobago where disagreements are vigorous but respectful, and where truth, not hatred, guides our national journey.

Martin Daly is right. Nothing will change peacefully unless we take hatred out of our politics. And as followers of Christ, we are called not only to hope for peace but to be instruments of it—online and off.

Let us begin today.

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